Cauliflower Soup And Garlic And Cheese Sourdough Dippers Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the cauliflower, garlic and 1/4 cup of olive oil to a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast until the cauliflower is fork tender and lightly charred in places, about 25 minutes.
• In the meantime, heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, potatoes, celery, onion and thyme. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits that have developed at the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken broth, Parmesan rind and roasted cauliflower and garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and cover. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the cheese rind from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove the cheese rind and discard.
• In batches, carefully transfer the mixture to a high powered blender. Blend until completely smooth (see Cook's Note).
• Once all the soup is blended, add it back into the Dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with a pinch of pepper and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Steps:

• In a large pot, fry the bacon pieces over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain the bacon on a paper towel and set aside. Pour off the grease and return the pot to the stove.
• Add the onions to the pot and cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cauliflower, sprinkle with the Cajun spice and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring, until the cauliflower starts turning golden brown, another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture slightly, or all the way if you prefer. (Or use a regular blender; just don't fill too full.)
• In a separate saucepan or skillet, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to form a paste. Pour in the milk, then continue cooking until it thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in the half-and-half.
• Pour the white sauce into the soup. Turn the heat to medium high and bring back to a boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, stirring in the cheese and sour cream until the cheese is fully melted. Stir in the parsley.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve with a little extra cheese, a sprinkle of bacon and a sprinkle of parsley.